Discount giant Aldi 'took government subsidies'

The Local ^ | 7 May 12 15:26 CET | (The Local/jcw)

[Olog-hai]

German discount supermarket giant Aldi, which has consistently made its owners the richest men in the country, has been taking government subsidies to train employees, it emerged at the weekend.

But weekly magazine Der Spiegel said many details remain shrouded in secrecy even by the government, to protect the commercial interests of Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd—separate but associated companies.

Information officially requested from the Federal Office for Goods Transport (BAG) did show that Aldi training was being paid for with government funds, but details were scarce. …

[GOPsterinMA]

Thank you for the info - very interesting!

[muawiyah]

The company(s) say they split the company between the two brothers on account of the issue of selling cigarettes at the cash register.

Guess one of them wanted to keep them in a locked cabinet and the other probably thought the behind the clerk racks (like we used to see everywhere) were better.

They don't sell cigarettes in the US, and I'd guess that's due to the risk factor ~ people steal them.

My mother always liked Aldi but my wife didn't. Then, we both grew older and found Aldi's smaller stores, and reduced variety made it much easier to shop. We do not need to buy any product we feel is inferior though, so we might sometimes go to a Giant or Safeway.

We also shop at a nearby Trader Joe's. They also have the cheap wine ~ but the Aldi's stores have a simply incredible wine selection for a little store that sells groceries.

So, mom was right.

[wardaddy]

i agree..a decent use of tax revenue in the private sector

[GOPsterinMA]

“Guess one of them wanted to keep them in a locked cabinet and the other probably thought the behind the clerk racks (like we used to see everywhere) were better.”

I don't know. Which one?

“We do not need to buy any product we feel is inferior though...”

Agreed. I only buy a few things at Aldi. I find the quality of the produce is very, very low for example. OTOH, the hot dogs, potato chips, etc. are fine for a BBQ.

“We also shop at a nearby Trader Joe's. They also have the cheap wine ~ but the Aldi’s stores have a simply incredible wine selection for a little store that sells groceries.”

Here in Msssholechusetts, I think there are only 3 TJ’s that are “allowed” to sell alcohol. The Aldi I go to - dry like the desert.

“So, mom was right.”

They tend to be!